The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for the Institute’s response to reports

of a missing student, as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. This policy applies to students who reside in campus housing, including off-campus apartment units leased by the Institute for student residents.

A.      Definition of a Missing Student

For purposes of this policy, a student may be considered to be a “missing person” if the person’s absence is contrary to his/her usual pattern of behavior and unusual circumstances may have caused the absence.

Such circumstances could include, but not be limited to:

• a report or suspicion that the missing person may be the victim of foul play

• the student has expressed suicidal thoughts

• the student is drug dependent

• the student is in a life-threatening situation

• the student has been with persons who may endanger the student’s welfare

B.        Procedures for Designation of Emergency Contact Person

1.   Students age 18 and above and emancipated minors

Students will be given the opportunity during each semester registration process to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted by the Institute no more than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below. A designation will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student.

2.   Students under the age of 18

In the event a student who is not emancipated is determined to be missing pursuant to the procedures set forth below, the Institute is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian no more than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below.

C.       Official Notification Procedures for Missing Students

1.   Any individual on campus who has information that a residential student may be a missing person must notify the Office of Support Services as soon as possible. Note: In order to avoid jurisdictional conflicts when an off-campus and/or commuter student is believed to be missing, the reporting person should immediately notify local law enforcement authorities. The Office of Support Services will assist external authorities with these investigations as requested.

2.   The Office of Support Services will gather all essential information about the residential student from the reporting person and from the student’s acquaintances (e.g. description, clothes last worn, where student might be, who student might be with, vehicle description, information about the physical and mental well-being of the student, an up-to-date photograph, class schedule, etc.).

3.   The Office of Support Services will notify appropriate campus staff to aid in the search for the student.

4.    If the above actions are unsuccessful in locating the student or it is apparent immediately that the student is a missing person (e.g., witnessed abduction), theOffice of Support Serviceswill contact the appropriate local law enforcement agency to report the student as a missing person and the local law enforcement agency will take charge of the investigation.

5.   No later than 24 hours after determining that a residential student is missing, the Dean of Student Affairs will notify the emergency contact (for students 18 and over) or the parent/guardian (for students under the age of 18) that the student is believed to be missing.

D.      Campus Communications about Missing Students

In cases involving missing students, law enforcement personnel are best situated to provide information to the media that is designed to elicit public assistance in the search for a missing person. Therefore, all communications regarding missing students will be handled by outside law enforcement authorities, who may consult with the Institute’s Office of Marketing and Communications. All inquiries to the college regarding missing students, or information provided to any individual at the Institute about a missing student, shall be referred to the Office of Facilities Management and Safety, which will refer such inquiries and information to law enforcement authorities.

Prior to providing the CIA community with any information about a missing student, the Office of Marketing and Communications shall consult with the Office of Facilities and Safety with local law enforcement authorities to ensure that communications do not hinder the investigation.